I Sailed to Zion: True Stories of Young Pioneers Who Crossed the Ocean

by Susan Arrington Madsen, Fred E. Woods

True stories of young pioneers who crossed the oceans.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2000

Reviews

[MariLee A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

First person accounts of people who joined the LDS Church in Europe and emigrated to Utah in the mid-1800's as children, teens, or young adults. I was interested in reading this as I have ancestors who did just that.

It was interesting reading for the most part, and I enjoyed the photos, however, I thought many of the stories were somewhat repetitive.

[MaryAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s hard for me to imagine the sacrifices early converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints endured for their faith, particularly those who had to sail the oceans then trek in wagon trains or via the railroad to Utah. My ancestors were among them. They came from Scotland, Wales, Switzerland, and Australia!

[Terrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating first-person accounts of pioneer children sailing to America. Perfect Sunday read.

[Chadwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very intruguing book, I Sailed to Zion actually accomplishes, I believe, all 3 purposes of writing: to pursuade, inform and entertain. The "story", for lack of a better word, is about the pioneers who had to endure possibly more than those who only had to cross the plains to reach Zion. These were the European, Asian, and Australian pioneers, many of whom did not speak English, who sailed the Seven Seas to reach the place where they were called to go. It is a collection (collaboration, compliation, conglomeration, assortment, bunch, etc.) of biographies and memoirs written by Susan Arrington Madsen and Fred E. Woods. Taken from modern day descendents, the accounts of these over-seas pioneers are actually written in the "patchwork writing" style. When one source doesn't have enough information on the person, say, a series of correspondence letters, then the authors of the book find another source, like a journal, and just fill in the blanks, so to speak. A habitué at my bookshelf, I enjoy the English language and its older forms (archaic spelling and grammer), of which this book satisfied, and with the inspiring language, came history. Each story showed the past, present and future of each individual, their trials, errors, victories, losses, hopes, dreams, aspirations, sorrows--every thought was expressed, every view shared with frankness and clarity. It was a kind of guilty pleasure to be looking into the personal lives of these ordinary people (with extraordinary legacies) and have them become something close to friends. Reading this, it was not hard to appreciate the courage and strength and love these immigrants had for their religion to leave their homes, refuse generous offers from neighbors, turn a blind eye to the persecution and threats thrown at them from all sides, to cross over mountain, desert and sea to get to Zion. What a treasure to be born of these people, these steadfast, hardy pioneers who blazed the trails for us to use in these modern days. What a blessing to have the accounts of our beloved ancestors preserved for many years to come in this book of boundless hope, faith and charity.
As you can see, I have strayed from a simple introduction to a full-blown review, and into a speech. Just as well, I've written it backwards; I've explained my position before I'd stated what it was to begin with. To end this post, I Sailed to Zion, the stories of our forebearers, would no doubt be considered a work of undeniably true history.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

My pops co-authored this book. Strong work, dad! It consists of first hand accounts of Mormon European immigrants making the trek to the United States to join 'the saints' (Mormon congregations). Regardless of your religious persuasion I believe you can appreciate the immense sacrifice of these pioneers in search of a better life for themselves and their children.

[Pat Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a compilation of journal entries of Mormons who converted in Europe and then sailed across the Atlantic to the United States, prior to making the trek west to Utah. It is about children's impressions of the sea journeys. Very interesting if you enjoy first-hand impressions of something that occurred over 100 years ago.

[VeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually like this one better than the stories of crossing the plains. I can't imagine what it would be like to leave the only country and home you had ever known and spend weeks or months on a ship for an unknown place. Since some of my ancestors had limited or no English at all, this is especially impressive.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was interesting because I hadn't thought as much about those who "sailed" to get to Utah. These are their stories from their journals. All are inspiring and helped me keep perspective in my own life.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so I like this book so much because my great-grandfather's story is in this book. I'm not much into history but I really loved reading his story that I know so well.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that I went through an entire tissue box. I love pioneers.

[Carrie Snider · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I liked reading accounts of people who sailed so long ago. I got a real taste for what it must have been like. I hadn't thought about the food or sea sickness. Interesting!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was good to read what people went through to get to America. I apperciate their sacrifies.